Automatic train pipe connecter head



Feb. 7,1933.

Filed July 1, 1929 Patented Feb. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

MARTIN A. BARBER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGN OR TO CONSOLIDATED CONNECTOR PATENT CORPORATION, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE I AUTOMATIC TRAIN CONNECT'ER HEAD A Application filed July 1,

This invention relates to automatic train pipe connecters and particularly to that type having a projection and a ring on opposite sides of the axis of the head for coacting with a respective ring and projection on a mating head to facilitate the coupling operation. Heretofore, such projection comprised four convex surfaces which extended inwardly from the marginal edges and terminated in a point at the center of the projection. The projection and ring type of construction has been found however to be very satisfactory in operation, insofar as horizontal gathering range is concerned, and to a limited extent so far as the vertical gathering range is concerned. The vertical gathering range is important however, as in many cases one coupler is positioned at a different elevation from that of a mating coupler, particularly when a loaded car is coupled to an empty one.

The principal object of the present invention is to increase the vertical gathering range in a conneoter head having the proj ection and ring type of guiding features without materially altering the general head construction, as it has been found in practice that the projection and ring has produced satisfactory results under various conditions of service.

A preferred manner of accomplishing this object is hereinafter described in detail and is shown in the drawing wherein Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a pair of coupled automatic train pipe connecters embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of an uncoupled connecter, and Figs. 3 and 4 are sections taken on the correspondingly numbered lines in Fig. 2.

The automatic train pipe connecters, which I have illustrated are supported from brackets 10, which are arranged to be carried by and to depend from the usual car couplers. Each connecter has a head 11, from which a shank 12 extends rearwardly and is connected to the associated bracket by a universal joint indicated in general at 13. A spring 14 surrounds the shank and normally urges the head forwardly of the bracket. Each head is also shown as having a projec- 1929. Serial No. 7 375,131.

tion 15 and a ring 16, which are intended to cooperate with a corresponding ring and pro jection on a coacting head. Such projection and ring are mounted on opposite sides of the axis of the head while ports 17 ,18 and 19 are positioned on a Vertical line betweenthe head and ring for the air signal, air brake and steam conduits respectively. Bearing lugs 20 and 21 are mounted on the projection and are intended to engage the faces 22 and 23 of the ring of a coacting head when the heads are coupled.

Thepresent invention is particularly concerned with the projection 15 as I have found that the Vertical gathering range is dependent upon the shape and arrangement of the guide surfaces or faces of such part. Heretofore, the projection has had four convex guide surfaces, which extended from the axis of the projection to the top, bottom and side marginal edges respectively thereof. have found that I can materially increase the vertical gathering range by making the inner side gathering face 31 a plane surface, while the top and bottom faces remain convex,

curved surfaces. The outer face 32 is shown, as a plane surface, although if desired, such surface may also be curved. As shown in Fig. 3, the contour of the upper face 33 is a continuation of that of the lower face 3 1.

Referring now to Fig. 5, I have shown with dot and dash lines 35 the ridges which heretofore have been formed on the projection at the intersection of the respective curved faces, and I have shown in full lines'36, the ridges which are formed at the intersection of the meeting faces of a projection made in accordance with the present invention. Assuming now that two coactingheads having intersecting ridges along the lines 35 are brought into engagement with each other along the line 37, then the limit of vertical gathering range is between the points 38 and 39. On the other hand, two heads having ridges 36 and meeting along the line 37 would have a vertical gathering range between the points 4.0 and 41. Such increasehas been due solely to the fact that the shape of the projection has been changed and particularly the shape of the inner gathering face thereof.

In view of the foregoing description, it will be evident that I have provided a simple and expeditious ,Way of increasing the vertical gathering range in an automatic connecter head, without destroying the advantageous operating characteristics of the projection and ring type of connecter head. i

I claim: a

A train pipe coupling for a fluid carrying conduit disposed substantially centrally therein and having a guiding projection adapted to be received in the recess of a coacting coupler, the entire surface of the projection comprising angularly related portions convergingto a common point, said projection being substantially iiree of marginal bearing portions whereby it is adapted to be completely received Within the recess under all conditions of service. 7

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

MARTIN A. BARBER. 

